Status Updates From 10 tips – Må bättre och lev...

"Not only does the optimist live longer, but the optimist also has better attention levels, a better memory, more curiosity, makes friends more easily, has more success at work, and a more enjoyable life."

"[Dental hygienists] teach the '2 rule': brush your teeth with 2 centimeters of fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes at least twice a day."

Sure, I heard to brush my teeth twice daily, but I have never heard this described as the "2 rule" before. Is this a Swedish thing?

"Eat plenty of the healthy stuff and you'll be okay with the rest [...] This means that if you let your food choices slip a little on occasion, you can still reduce the risk of harm by also eating good food at the same time."

Let's not forget dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa contains antioxidants. Now we're talking. (Yes, I have tasted dark chocolate with that much cocoa. It's an acquired taste, but I acquired it. Don't tempt ne with a good time.)

First of all, melon is a vegetable??!! Who knew?

Secondly, for all my good favour in the fruits category, I win no prizes in the vegetable category, as all I eat in the "best" list are onions, garlic, and spinach. Excuse me, but where's kale? I eat that, love it, and everyone says it's gross but it's healthy. Where's that on your precious list? Huh??!!

(Must not get angry with the health books... woooo...sahhh.)

As a picky eater, I am delighted to learn that what I do consume -- apples, bananas, blueberries, lemons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, red grapes, and strawberries -- are all rich in antioxidants.

This never happens to me. I feel so pleasantly surprised. The health books have forgiven me! My fortune has changed!

"Thirty people die of diseases related to vitamin D deficiency for every 1 who dies of skin cancer."

You cannot blame Casper the Ginger Ghost for being a bit skeptical, but the claim is that we need 20 minutes of sun at peak times (think lunch) without sunscreen to hit our vitamin D production quota, and can then cover up, in a Canadian summer, and in winter... well, slim pickings. Go to the Caribbean. Eat eel.

The irony is not lost on me that I'm staying up reading about how sleep is vital to improving your wellbeing.

"Make yourself unreachable, decide whether and when you want to have contact with the world (...)"

So far, this book has told me to exercise and recover from stress - two habits easier said than formed - but I do love the tidbit that encourages me to recover from stress by withdrawing from social situations I do not want to be a part of. Apparently cancelling dreaded plans will help me live longer. Doc's orders.

"No matter how old you are, or what physical condition you are in, exercise will always make the body younger. But remember that this effect only occurs as long as you continue to exercise. Exercise is a perishable item; it can't be stored in the body, but has to be repeated on a regular basis."

"I began to think along new lines and became increasingly interested in the health promotion perspective which has been gaining popularity in Scandinavia--how to boost health rather than focusing on disease and death."